Father, I cannot even begin to fathom all that You have forgiven me throughout my lifetime. My mind remembers a lot but You choose to forgive and forget! I rejoice in the prophet Micah’s proclamation!
He shall again have compassion on us; He will subdue and tread underfoot our wickedness [destroying sin’s power]. Yes, you will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. Micah 7:19 (AMP)
Mark 10:46-52 (<<click to read the passage)
Bartimaeus is a noteworthy character for sure! Due to his blindness, he would have been grouped with the lowliest people of his culture. In a society where physical labor was just about everyone’s way of making a living, his only source of income would have come from the generosity of others. But was certainly tenacious, regardless of his standing!
Jesus’ reputation had proceeded Him, and Bartimaeus had heard of His many miracles. When he heard that Jesus was near, “he began to shout, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’” v47
Those words were no sooner out of his mouth when many of those around him yelled, “Be quiet!”
He was not timid. He did not slink back into the shadows. Their command did not deter him for “he only shouted louder, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’” v48
Their words of discouragement did not push him back but gave him cause to thrust himself to the forefront!
It is to our detriment that our culture is so anti-Christ. Some are bold but many hold back. We could lose our job. We could be accused of harassment. Anymore, if someone didn’t like what we were saying they might punch us in the face or even pull a gun on us!
Lord Jesus, help us to be more like Bartimaeus. May the yelling of the crowds not deter us from shouting for more of You. May we be emboldened. In our case, part of the problem is that the crowd needs You, too. Give us a burning passion for them. They are trapped in the shallow, unforgiving, unfulfilling world in which we live. And we know the Savior!
June 13th, 2019, 3:49 pm
